View of a Fortified Italian Hill Town 18th-19th century

Editor: This is Florent-Fidèle-Constant Bourgeois du Castelet's "View of a Fortified Italian Hill Town," a watercolor at the Harvard Art Museums. It feels both imposing and serene. What do you see in it? Curator: The fortress looms, but the foliage softens its power. Fortifications, throughout history, represent not just physical defense, but a collective desire for security. Does the artist invite us to question what we truly protect, and at what cost? Editor: That's a compelling way to look at it. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! It is always rewarding to see how symbols and structures resonate across time.